Taliban meet with EU in Qatar in bid to release funds, reopen embassies

Kabul, Nov 28 (EFE).- A Taliban delegation on Sunday concluded two-day meetings with representatives of the European Union in Qatar as part of efforts by the Islamic fundamentalists to improve relations with the international community and lift crippling economic sanctions.

The parties discussed the political situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban suddenly returned to power and the economic issues the country is struggling with, Mohammad Naeem, Taliban spokesman in Qatar, told Ariana TV.

“The meetings with the European Union delegation and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow the meeting will be with the United States delegation to discuss releasing bank assets, humanitarian aids and the reopening of embassies in Kabul,” he said.

The EU has not recognized the Taliban since the Islamists swept to power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US and other foreign troops in late August.

Prior to the Qatar meetings, the Taliban said they would also discuss the implementation of the 2020 Doha deal as well as paving the way to improve relations.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was a key point of that agreement, signed in February 2020.

Earlier this week, US State Department spokesman Ned Price announced that US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West would meet with the Taliban in Doha.

Washington has prioritized fighting terrorism, the safe passage for US citizens and for some Afghans, as well as humanitarian aid and the economic situation of the country.

The Taliban’s power seizure on 15 August escalated Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis to unprecedented levels due to the international sanctions to prevent Islamist leaders from accessing the international financial system. EFE

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